Sound Producing Patents (Class 297/217.4)
  • Patent number: 11884195
    Abstract: Headrest (1) for a racing vehicle (10) comprising a cockpit (11) wherein a driver (20) wearing a helmet (30) can sit, comprising a flexible casing (2) configured to be anchored to a vehicle body (12) and at least one energy-absorbing member (3) comprising at least one honeycomb cellular structure (9) arranged inside said casing (2). The energy-absorbing member (3) further comprising a foam pad (8) shaped so as to hold the at least one honeycomb cellular structure (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: GEORGE TFE SCP
    Inventors: John George Lloyd, Piers Christian Storey
  • Patent number: 11744385
    Abstract: The invention provides a baby bouncing chair, comprising a table, a seat unit, a plurality of chair leg units, a bouncing disc module, a plurality of supporting band units, a first cover plate, a bounce-control module and a limiting fastening piece. Each of the plurality of supporting band units is provided with a limiting rod. The bounce-control module is provided with a plurality of stop blocks. The bounce-control module controls movements of the limiting rods and the plurality of supporting band units in the bouncing disc module by the stop blocks to control the baby bouncing chair to be in a bouncing state or a non-bouncing state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: TUNG TZU INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chin-I Lai, Yen-Wen Lai, Wei-Jia Lai
  • Patent number: 11590903
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom, a seat back, and a docking station for a mobile device. The docking station includes an adjustable height bracket and a reception surface. The reception surface is mounted to the seat back and has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The reception surface is configured to tilt independently of the seat back, and the adjustable height bracket is configured to move slidably across the reception surface from the first end towards the second end. This structure for a docking station helps improve within vehicle integration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: FAURECIA AUTOMOTIVE SEATING, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Dessapt, Cedric Ketels
  • Patent number: 11406194
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus is configured to be provided on a back surface of a seat and can be connected with an external apparatus. The electronic apparatus includes a casing, and a connector that is configured to be connected with the external apparatus. The casing includes an inclined surface that is inclined at a prescribed angle or a curved surface that is curved, toward a middle in a lateral width direction, and the connector is disposed in the inclined surface or the curved surface and connectable with the external apparatus in a direction perpendicular to the inclined surface or the curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihide Kanazawa, Kaname Tomita
  • Patent number: 11361748
    Abstract: A speaker system includes a cushion body with which a person comes into contact when sitting therein, and a speaker, a front of which is covered by the cushion body. The cushion body includes: a three-dimensional mesh-like elastic part that is formed by a three-dimensionally entangled fiber and bears a load of the person; and a cover member that covers surroundings of the three-dimensional mesh-like elastic part. The cover member includes a first cover member that covers the part of the surroundings of the three-dimensional mesh-like elastic part located at the front of the speaker, and a second cover member that is a remainder of the cover member excluding the first cover member. The first cover member has a higher acoustic transmissivity than the second cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumiyasu Konno, Shigeru Nishida
  • Patent number: 11351930
    Abstract: A method of supporting a mobile computing device in a vehicle comprising: providing a seating assembly disposed in an interior of a vehicle, the seating assembly comprising a seatback and a headrest adjustably coupled to the seatback; placing a mobile computing device between the seatback and the headrest; and adjusting the headrest relative to the seatback such that the seatback and the headrest support the mobile computing device. The seatback can further comprise a first lower support member including an upward extension, wherein, placing a mobile computing device between the seatback and the headrest includes placing the mobile computing device adjacent and forward the upward extension of the first lower support member; and wherein, the upward extension of the first lower support member further supports the mobile computing device. The method can further comprise connecting the mobile computing device to a connection port on the seating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Enrique Gonzalez, Jose Ricardo Trolle Lara, Adrian Romero Regalado
  • Patent number: 11351898
    Abstract: An accessory support assembly for a vehicle seat includes a support frame that includes an upper bracket and a lower bracket coupled to a bottom of the upper bracket. The lower bracket includes coupling features. The lower bracket defines side projections that extend from opposing sides of the support frame. A speaker assembly is coupled to the support frame. The speaker assembly includes a first speaker housing and a second speaker housing. The first and second speaker housings are coupled to the side projections of the support frame, respectively. A speaker is disposed in each of the first and second housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Deeptej Kudav, Robert Charles Shipley, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Anna Frances Hardig Hendrickson, Rodney Charles Brinker, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello, Joseph Kafati, Peter Ryan, Andre John Van Schyndel, Alan Peter Norton, Nanki Sahota
  • Patent number: 11302157
    Abstract: An infrasound drive system and method are disclosed. An infrasound drive system includes a control circuit for transmitting a data signal and a power signal, and one or more infrasound drive that includes an input terminal, an amplifier and a tactile transducer. In one or more infrasound drives, the amplifier receives a power signal from the power channel and a data signal from the data channel. The amplifier outputs an amplified signal to the tactile transducer. The tactile transducer generates a tactile vibration based on the data signal and the power signal. An infrasound drive can be disposed in a housing and transmit a haptic force to a user in contact with the housing. A user can limit the haptic force transmitted by the infrasound drive. The power channel and the data channel can be provided by a power over Ethernet (PoE) cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: MSG Entertainment Group, LLC
    Inventor: Erik Hockman
  • Patent number: 11225202
    Abstract: A display assembly for a vehicle seat includes a housing portion that defines a space for receiving a display. The housing portion includes an angled rear wall. A coupling ledge extends from the angled rear wall. The coupling ledge defines a receiving slot within a recess. A coupling extension has a top edge and a bottom edge. The top edge of the coupling extension is coupled to a bottom of the housing portion. A hook is coupled to and extends from an inner surface of the coupling extension. The hook is disposed adjacent to the bottom edge of the coupling extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Robert Charles Shipley, Anna Frances Hardig Hendrickson, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello, Deeptej Kudav
  • Patent number: 11109614
    Abstract: A flavor dispenser device and a head mounting device including the flavor dispenser to enhance the user experience of a motion picture is provided. The flavor dispenser device includes a tape cartridge and a drive mechanism. The tape cartridge includes one or more flavor strips. The drive mechanism advances the tape cartridge inside a first housing, and the one or more flavor strip is dispensed from the first housing in case the drive mechanism is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Inventor: Joshua Roehrig
  • Patent number: 11039234
    Abstract: A technique for joint production of vibration and sound is provided. According to an example embodiment, the technique is provided by an apparatus including a unit for jointly producing vibration and sound to reproduce an input audio signal provided as input thereto, the unit arranged inside a padding to generate mechanical vibration that is perceivable as a vibration and sound on at least one outer surface of the padding and to radiate the sound through the at least one outer surface of the padding and a unit for regulating perceivable intensity of vibration in dependence of at least one characteristic of the input audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: FLEXOUND SYSTEMS OY
    Inventors: Jukka Linjama, Tommi Immonen
  • Patent number: 11026512
    Abstract: A method for selling seats in a movie theater, comprising the steps of: providing a first screening room in a movie theater with actuated seats providing movement in synchronization with a motion picture having a feature-length presentation being projected; selling access to non-actuated seats in the movie theater at a base price per seat; selling access to said actuated seats in said first screening room at a second price per seat, the second price being equal to the base price per seat added to an actuated-seat premium; controlling the access to said actuated seats in said first screening room as opposed to the non-actuated seats; and projecting said motion picture in the first screening room with the actuated seats being actuated to provide movement in synchronization with the motion picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Inventors: Philippe Roy, Bruno Paillard
  • Patent number: 10917725
    Abstract: An exemplary low-profile loudspeaker can be provided having an enclosure volume defined between a bottom and an outer wall with an outer periphery configured to suspend such membrane in the center, and excite the membrane at the periphery. An exemplary loudspeaker membrane can also be provided with a suspension path along which to suspend the membrane in a loudspeaker and with an excitation path along which to excite the membrane to produce sound when suspended and excited. The membrane can have an outward face for radiating sound and opposite an inward face for facing towards a volume of a loudspeaker, the membrane having a plurality of structure paths each single structure path substantially extending between the excitation path and the suspension path and along each individual structure path being non-flush structures to the otherwise flush outward face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Fibona Acoustics Aps
    Inventor: Milad Kahfizadeh
  • Patent number: 10675548
    Abstract: The child car seat simulates the motions and sounds of a car seat being driven over a road in order to comfort and soothe an infant and to induce the infant to sleep. An infant may be placed on padding attached to the top interior of the seat body and restrained by a left blanket half and a right blanket half. A motion mechanism located in the base of the seat body may cause movement of the child care seat that resembles the movement that a car seat would experience in a moving vehicle. One or more speakers located within the shell of the seat body may play an audio program to simulate vehicular and traffic noises. The intensity and type of movement and the volume and specific audio program may be selected from controls located on the upper rear of the seat body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Inventor: Christy Colton
  • Patent number: 10463157
    Abstract: A portable folding chair is provided that contains electrical conduits within its structure for providing power to various accessories incorporated into the chair. The portable folding chair has a folding body support structure and a folding chair support structure which supports the body support structure, and a seat covering stretched between frame members, an electrical conduit either within the body support structure or within a fabric conduit within the seat covering for providing power to an accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Inventor: Marc Liniado
  • Patent number: 10462571
    Abstract: An audio and seating system is disclosed for one or more chairs comprising at least one wireless speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Gabriella White, LLC
    Inventors: William Bew White, III, Matt Scallions
  • Patent number: 10308192
    Abstract: A method of supporting a mobile computing device in a vehicle comprising: providing a seating assembly disposed in an interior of a vehicle, the seating assembly comprising a seatback and a headrest adjustably coupled to the seatback; placing a mobile computing device between the seatback and the headrest; and adjusting the headrest relative to the seatback such that the seatback and the headrest support the mobile computing device. The seatback can further comprise a first lower support member including an upward extension, wherein, placing a mobile computing device between the seatback and the headrest includes placing the mobile computing device adjacent and forward the upward extension of the first lower support member; and wherein, the upward extension of the first lower support member further supports the mobile computing device. The method can further comprise connecting the mobile computing device to a connection port on the seating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Enrique Gonzalez, Jose Ricardo Trolle Lara, Adrian Romero Regalado
  • Patent number: 10293729
    Abstract: Provided is a vibration generator that even if a vibration is generated in the seat surface of a seat, allows a seated person to easily feel the vibration. A vibration generator (1) includes a vibration transmission member (10) and an exciter (20). The vibration transmission member (10) is disposed in a seat surface (2a) of a seat (2) so as to extend in the horizontal direction of the seat surface (2a) and is able to transmit a vibration in the extending direction. The exciter (20) is able to transmit a vibration to the vibration transmission member (10) in the extending direction of the vibration transmission member (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: CLARION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji Kono
  • Patent number: 10279915
    Abstract: A securement mechanism for a storage compartment in a seat headrest may comprise a housing tray and a first latch disposed in the housing tray. A release button may be disposed in the housing tray and may contact the first latch. The release button may be configured to be substantially coplanar with the housing tray when the securement mechanism is in a secured position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: AMI INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Porter, Kyler Marutzky
  • Patent number: 10051354
    Abstract: An apparatus for comprehensive perception of sound, preferably a cushion, where vibration and sound is produced with a mechanical device wrapped inside a padding, wherein (a) the device radiates sound by generating mechanical vibration directly to the padding that can be felt and listened on the outer surface of the padding, (b) the device radiates airborne sound through the padding, (c) in order to avoid acoustical and mechanical resonances, the padding includes an acoustically denser and lossy layer and a layer that is acoustically less dense and porous, and (d) the device includes at least one board, and the vibration of the boards is generated using at least one vibrating mechanical actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: FLEXOUND SYSTEMS OY
    Inventors: Jukka Linjama, Heikki Tuominen
  • Patent number: 9983781
    Abstract: Seat state correction systems, methods, and programs access suitable figure information in which a suitable figure and a state of a seat of a vehicle are correlated with each other. The systems, methods, and programs acquire a suitable figure that suits a current state of the seat on the basis of the accessed suitable figure information, the acquired suitable figure representing a recommended driving posture for a user seated on the seat and display, on a touch panel display, an image that indicates the acquired suitable figure. The systems, methods, and programs receive figure correction information through contact on the touch panel display, the figure correction information indicating a correction of the displayed suitable figure and correct the state of the seat on the basis of the accessed suitable figure information so as to achieve a state of the seat corresponding to the corrected displayed suitable figure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukiyoshi Suzuki, Tomoki Kubota
  • Patent number: 9905106
    Abstract: Ergonomics awareness chairs, systems, and methods are disclosed. Methods include reading sensor values from sensors in an ergonomics awareness chair, calculating a posture type based on the sensor values, determining a time the user has been continuously sitting properly, and, if the time is greater than a predetermined threshold time, alerting the user to take a break. Systems include a user-interface computer and an ergonomics awareness chair with a controller. The ergonomics awareness chair includes a shoulder sensor, a lumbar sensor, a buttocks sensor, a thigh sensor, and an armrest sensor in each of the armrests. The controller is configured to acquire sensor values from the sensors. The user-interface computer is programmed to determine at least two types of postures based on the sensor values. The types of postures may include sitting properly and sitting improperly (e.g., slouching, hunching, straining shoulders, leaning, sitting on edge, and crossing legs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Yueli Yang, Kiran Thomas, Timothy Stumpf, Connie Starr, Quy V. Le, Amanda Elizabeth Johnson
  • Patent number: 9815555
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cover for a seat in an aircraft or spacecraft, including a receiver which is configured to receive in an exchangeable manner an electronic device which is fitted with a screen, at least one recess being provided in the region of the receiver such that the screen of the electronic device is exposed for viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Riedel, Stefan Mahn
  • Patent number: 9802519
    Abstract: The technology can be embodied in a headrest that includes an enclosure that includes one or more acoustic transducers. The headrest includes a bar for mounting on a backrest of the seat, such that the mounted headrest is movable with respect to the backrest to different positions over an adjustable range. The bar includes one or more wires each of which is coupled to an electrical contact at one end, and an acoustic transducer at an opposite end, the one or more wires disposed within a hollow interior portion of the bar. The bar also includes an opening for permitting an electrical connection to be established between an electrical connector coupled to an external source, and the electrical contact coupled to the one or more wires. The connection is maintained over the adjustable range of the headrest by a mechanical bias on either the electrical connector or the electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Bradford Kyle Subat, Charles E. Dunn, Jr., Charles Oswald, Kurt Mathew Heiden
  • Patent number: 9672703
    Abstract: A tactile sound device in proximate contact with a user, comprising a multistage arrangement of vibrotactile materials to impart visceral sensations to a user. The device imparts a physical sensation via a multistage arrangement of vibrotactile materials embodied in a wearable or seated configuration, in response to a wired or wireless signal input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: SubPac, Inc.
    Inventors: John Alexiou, Todd Chernecki, Sarosh S. Khwaja
  • Patent number: 9609423
    Abstract: A noise abatement system for dental procedures conceived to protect the hearing of dental staff members composed of office managers, dental operators including at least one of dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, dental technician and any other dental staff member in the dental operatory, and of patients, comprises a pair of headphones composed of one left and one right phones [1] connected to each other via a flexible strap [2], an audio signal processor (ASP) [7] with a receiver [17] and an on/off talk button [13] with a transmitter and circuitry [21]. Dental operators and patients can toggle an operator/patient switch [8] in a water- and dust-resistant casing of the pair of headphones to switch between operator mode and patient mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Volt Analytics, LLC
    Inventors: Peman Montazemi, Shaghayegh Zekavati, Massimo Mitolo
  • Patent number: 9463721
    Abstract: A head rest for motor vehicle seats has a center part and side parts that are arranged on either side of the center part and can be adjusted relative to the center part to provide lateral support of the head. At least one hollow body that can be filled with fluid is provided, by the filling of which the at least one side part is pivoted in the direction of the area in which the head is accommodated. Two lever arms pivotable about a respective pivot axis are provided, each having a first lever arm section and a second lever arm section arranged at the opposite end of the first lever arm section. The first of the lever arm sections lie in the stroke range of the hollow body and the second of the lever arm sections cooperates with a side part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Reese
  • Patent number: 9421919
    Abstract: Described are display assemblies having a display coupled to a passenger seat back, a video shroud coupled to the passenger seat back and with an inner opening positioned adjacent the display, wherein a gap is positioned between an outer edge of the display and an edge of the inner opening, and an adaptor having a lip and coupled to the video shroud, wherein the lip is positioned adjacent the gap. A portion of the lip may surround at least the outer edge of the display and/or may overlap a portion of the video shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventors: Rik Westerink, Timothy W. Terleski, Per Magnus Skold, Alexander Gerard Saucier, Armando Valdes
  • Patent number: 9261762
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-projection system and method including direction-changeable audience seats, and the multi-projection system includes a plurality of projection surfaces installed in a single theater; and an audience seat whose direction is changed depending on images projected on the plurality of projection surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CJ CGV CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hwan Chul Kim, Su Ryeon Kang
  • Patent number: 9150171
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprising a seat main body including a seat cushion that supports buttocks and thighs of an occupant and a seatback that supports the upper body of the occupant; and a USB connector provided at the seat main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Donghyoun Kim, Hidemi Haga
  • Patent number: 9139139
    Abstract: A vehicle passenger is provided with a console for mounting an entertainment apparatus, the console being coupled to the back of a more forwardly located seat by headrest retaining clips of the kind adapted to hold posts of a height adjustable headrest for the seat at a height selected position. In one arrangement, the console is sandwiched between the headrest retaining clips and the top of the seat back. In an alternative arrangement, the console incorporates integral headrest retaining clips that replace the conventional headrest retaining clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: VOXX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ciaran Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9120408
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a monitor, comprising a housing, a screen, a button zone and some circuits inside the housing. Side and rear portions of the screen are wrapped by the housing, and its front portion is exposed outside to display images. The button zone includes a plurality of functional buttons that assist users to input instructions and select functions. The housing is treated with gloss finish so that it has a lustrous appearance and looks shiny.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: JET OPTOELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Tai-Hao Wen, Chen-Hung Tai
  • Patent number: 9118989
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are described for mitigating noise during sound recording. A noise mitigating microphone attachment comprises a foam structure. A first cavity extending from a first opening at a surface of the foam structure and into the foam structure. A microphone is inserted into the first cavity with sound receiving elements of the microphone fully installed in the structure. A second cavity extending from a second opening at the surface of the foam structure and into the foam structure is configured to receive sound from a sound source. The first cavity is fluidly connected to the second cavity within the foam structure so that a junction is formed between the first cavity and the second cavity. The junction, the sound cavity, and the sealing of the microphone work to shield the sound receiving elements of the microphone from sound other than received through the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Kaotica Corporation
    Inventor: Konrad Zukowski
  • Patent number: 9004588
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a mobile entertainment system includes a screen assembly with a display and a signal generating device. A housing pivotally coupled to the screen assembly can have a lower portion, an upper portion, and a housing cavity sized and shaped to receive the screen assembly. The upper portion can receive at least a portion of the signal generating device. At least a portion of the screen assembly can rotate through an opening in the lower portion. A shell can receive the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Safety, Inc
    Inventor: Chung Lung Chang
  • Publication number: 20150015036
    Abstract: A rocker includes a frame and a seat coupled to the frame for receiving an infant therein. The frame includes a front and a rear frame portion generally oppositely extending along a longitudinal axis. The first and second frame portions are pivotally coupled together to move between an upright configuration and a collapsed configuration. The front and rear frame portions include rocking surfaces that are configured to rock on a support surface in a side-to-side motion transverse to the longitudinal axis, with the infant positioned in the seat in a head-to-foot longitudinal orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: KIDS II, INC.
    Inventor: Alex SORIANO
  • Patent number: 8913777
    Abstract: A speaker system for use in a seat includes a speaker enclosure including a speaker having a sound-radiating element with a first side and a second side, and an at least partially enclosed volume of space larger than a volume of space occupied by the speaker and acoustically coupled to the second side of the sound-radiating element of the speaker, the enclosure sized to fit within a first vertically-oriented cavity in a seat back, open at the top of the seat back. A motor moves the first speaker enclosure between a first position in which the first speaker enclosure is fully contained within the first cavity and a second position in which the first speaker enclosure protrudes from the top of the seat back such that the first side of the sound-radiating element is coupled to free space at the top of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Pelliccio, Jeffery R. Vautin
  • Patent number: 8864221
    Abstract: A folding massage chair that includes a chair with attached front and rear support frames. The chair includes a seat portion and a backing portion, and also includes a massage and heating pad that is placed over the seat portion and a backing portion. The massage and heating pad includes a number of heating units and heating coils, along with a number of vibrator units. The chair also includes a cup holder and a music player holder, along with a foot rest attached to the front support frame. The chair also has a canopy that is attached to the backing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Antonio J. Delvilla
  • Publication number: 20140306838
    Abstract: In some aspects, a portable car-seat assembly for installation in a vehicle includes a temperature sensor that detects an ambient temperature inside the vehicle. The portable car-seat assembly also includes a location detector that detects a location of the car-seat assembly. The car-seat assembly is configured to initiate a predetermined action in response to detecting an unsafe passenger-condition based on the temperature. For example, a message indicating the temperature and the location of the car-seat assembly can be sent to a remote recipient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: Justin Edward Beumler
  • Patent number: 8857907
    Abstract: A massage machine that can stably rock a chair main body in a forward-backward direction and that has minimal overall height comprising a chair main body, a base which supports the chair main body, massage portions provided in the chair main body, and a rocking mechanism portion which rocks the chair main body in the forward-backward direction with respect to the base. The rocking mechanism portion includes link members, each of which has a lower portion pivotally supported by the base and an upper portion pivotally supporting the chair main body. The chair main body is rocked in the forward-backward direction by rocking the upper portions of the link members in the forward-backward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Family Inada Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoki Nagamitsu
  • Publication number: 20140292047
    Abstract: A detachable seat mounted audio-visual entertainment system. The system has locally storable, selectable, and updatable content. The passenger in-flight entertainment device terminal has passenger selectable controls, a video display, an audio output, storage media such as a magnetic or “hard disk”, and a payment interface device such as a card swipe, all located in a seat which has been wired with power, local network, and audio wiring. A local, transport vehicle mounted local host computer provides supports the local network, and may be used to collect revenue slips resulting from passenger input to the payment interface device. Revenue slips may be posted to a remote server during a trip segment via satellite or direct radio frequency communication to receiving facilities providing connection to the internet, or alternately collected and posted batchwise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: William J. Boyer, Jr., Robert Ray Henson
  • Patent number: 8845016
    Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of visual and/or acoustic privacy features. For example, exemplary embodiments are disclosed that include visual and/or acoustic privacy features for furniture (e.g., office chair, desk, table, cubicle, etc.). The visual and/or acoustic privacy features are movable relative to the user and/or furniture between at least a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the visual and/or acoustic privacy features may be configured such that they do not inhibit the user from interacting with others. In the second configuration, the visual and/or acoustic privacy features may be configured to provide the user with at least some visual and/or acoustic privacy and isolation from others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Domash Design Source LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth Niles Domash
  • Publication number: 20140284975
    Abstract: The invention provides an audible security system incorporated in an infant car seat. The Talking Car Seat is a fully functioning vehicle safety seat which comprises an integrated alarm system that provides an audible alert when a parent restrains a child improperly or when a parent fails to remove a child from the Talking Car Seat after parking their vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Maria Nelly Manimbo
  • Publication number: 20140284976
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a seat device of an aircraft or spacecraft, having a seat which comprises a headrest, and a loudspeaker device which includes at least one pair of loudspeakers which are spaced apart from one another and located in the region of the headrest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Christian Riedel, Stefan Mahn
  • Patent number: 8840185
    Abstract: An automobile seat with a massage device (3) with at least one massaging element (3a) to stimulate and/or massage the neck and/or shoulder area which includes a seat back (1) and a headrest (2). The massage device (3) is connected with the seat back (1) on its upper section (1a) facing the headrest (2), and may be adjusted relative to the seat back without having to adjust the headrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH
    Inventor: Claudia Worlitz
  • Patent number: 8840181
    Abstract: A monitoring and/or entertainment system, especially for a child seat, having at least one electronic assembly for displaying/recording images, films or film sequences, and having a moulded body in which the at least one electronic assembly is mounted and held. In order that the monitoring/entertainment system can be used for a child seat when the seat shell of the child seat is aligned in the direction opposite to the direction of travel, the moulded body has at least one fixing element which is arranged to form a force-based connection to the base frame of the child seat, wherein when the moulded body is in the state in which it is fixed to the base frame of the child seat the front side of the moulded body and the electronic assembly mounted in the moulded body face towards the seat shell of the child seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Cybex Industrial Ltd.
    Inventor: Martin Pos
  • Publication number: 20140265478
    Abstract: An adjustable seat indicating assembly is provided and includes a stationary component attached to a stationary part of an adjustable seat assembly, a movable component attached to a movable part of the adjustable seat assembly, and an indicating component that changes state upon an interaction between the stationary component and the movable component, wherein the indicating component indicates that the movable part of the seat is in a desired seating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: COMMERCIAL VEHICLE GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Schultz, Robert A. Maston
  • Publication number: 20140265479
    Abstract: Systems an methods of adjusting a seat in a vehicle are discussed. Such a system can include a vehicle seat that can have a plurality of adjustable aspects, such as a headrest, seat back, armrests, lumbar support, etc. The system can also include display component that can visually present one or more options associated with settings for the vehicle seat. Additionally, there can be an input component that can receive one or more selections of the one or more options, and there can be a control component that can determine one or more adjustments based at least in part on the one or more selections. The vehicle seat can adjust a subset of the plurality of aspects based at least in part on the one or more determined adjustments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: COMMERCIAL VEHICLE GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Paul Bennett
  • Publication number: 20140265481
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a seat device for an aircraft or spacecraft with at least one photoelectric device, which is designed to provide electrical energy such that this energy can be used to charge or supply an electrical device, and/or amplify audio signals, and/or transmit data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: CHRISTIAN RIEDEL, STEFAN MAHN
  • Publication number: 20140265480
    Abstract: Systems for soothing and prolonging sleep maintain an experience of riding in a vehicle in a car seat, even as a pattern of driving changes, when vehicle motion ceases or when the car seat is removed from the vehicle. Sensors detect one or more of motion, light and sound in an environment of the car seat. As motion, light and/or associated with the ride decrease, change or stop, a controller automatically controls actuators to apply compensatory motion, light and/or sound in the environment of the car seat, in order to provide continuity of the riding experience and decrease likelihood of an infant awakening or fussing. This allows the driver of the vehicle to concentrate on driving safely, rather than breaking concentration on the road in order to soothe the infant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Heather F. Perrin, Perry Youngs
  • Patent number: 8804093
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing movement to seating including theater seating generate complex motion responses in the seating by automatically analyzing an audio component of media being consumed for one or more aspects of the audio information contained in the audio component at certain frequencies or frequency ranges. The aspects analyzed include aspects relating to frequencies and frequency ranges substantially higher than the low-frequency signals used to drive motion of theater seating. From the analysis of the audio aspects contained in the audio component, a plurality of independent low-frequency output signals is generated. The plurality of independent low-frequency output signals is directed to a plurality of individual actuators incorporated into different locations in a seat to provide sensations of motion at different locations of the seat, such as at a seat location, at a lower back location, and at an upper back location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventors: Levoy Haight, J. Ken Barton, David J. Havell, Aaron Michael Best, Trent Lawrence Rolf, Mark Myers